Tile Redi®, world-leading manufacturer and marketer of pre-formed, one-piece shower pans and related accessories, received the award for “Surfaces 2013 Best New Product” sponsored by Floor Tends and Tile magazines. The winning product, Redi Trench™, is an incredibly exciting marriage of design and function. Farrell Gerber, Executive VP Sales of Tile Redi® stated, “Redi-Trench™ is the only linear drain system completely integrated into a leak-proof, mold-free shower pan. Designers have the choice of selecting either tile-in-grate or non-tile-able versions. We know this product meets the needs of so many shower applications, and is an ideal item to be specified for hotels with a sizable number of guestrooms.” Redi Trench™ features offer endless design flexibility as it can be used with any size Redi Base (30″–72”), plank pitched, molded-in trench. The Redi Trench™ is plank pitched with a molded-in trench that will accept any tile size. Additionally, it can be put in any trench location or any drain location with the option of specifying a tile-able or grate top. The product is offered in 40 popular models. “Winning this award means a lot for the entire Tile Redi organization,” added Farrell Gerber,. “We spend countless hours in R&D with our design team to make sure we offer the market the maximum quality, highest performing products… all offered with the easiest installation. We are extremely proud that Redi Trench™ has received this honor.” www.tileredi.com

Bellavita expansion

Bellavita Tile has announced the completion of its new office and warehouse complex in Vancouver, BC. The expansion is a result of a detailed, long-term plan by Bellavita to assure continued growth and ongoing support to the firm’s distribution network. Located three short blocks from the company’s old headquarters, the new facility includes 1,750 square-feet of offices and over 8,000 square-feet of warehouse. Plans for new production schedules and stocking programs have resulted from the expansion that will continue to evolve throughout 2013. The new space showcases several installed tile products manufactured by Bellavita. Most significant can be found on the office floors, which feature the Rivergrass collection in the Papyrus color, utilizing a 24×24″ (60x60cm) format. Ames Tile & Stone, in Vancouver provided slab isolation membrane and the NuHeat radiant heating system to enhance the performance of the floors. The installation was completed by Bridgewater Tile, Ltd. Bellavita is especially proud of the energy-savings features implemented at the new facility. Mike Ward, U.S. Director of Sales explained, “To keep our burden on the environment as low as possible, we contacted our friends at NuHeat to help us with an electric radiant heat solution for the office space. Working with Anthony Celio, we settled upon their prefabricated mats, both standard and custom for the entire space, all of which is now controlled by their SOLO thermostats. The high thermal mass of our porcelain, paired with the efficient heating of NuHeat’s mats, provides the only heat-source required for the entire space with minimal energy input. But the SOLO thermostats are the clincher- they make sure the office is toasty only during business hours without need for any direction after the initial setup.”“ Bellavita Tile also moved its U.S. offices from California to Carrollton, Texas in 2012.

QEP Named as Exclusive Distributor of Homelux Products

Q.E.P. Co., Inc. has been named as the exclusive authorized distributor of Homelux Products in North America. QEP will be representing the full line of Homelux-branded products and accessories throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean region. Homelux is a leading international brand of tile trims, tile accessories and tiling tools based in Ashbourne, United Kingdom. They boast a large sku assortment across multiple categories including Tile Trims and Seals, Under Tile Heating, Waterproof Matting, Crack Suppression, Wet Rooms and Glass Mosaics. They have market penetration in the UK and European Professional outlets as well as the major retailers throughout these regions. “We are excited to partner with a dynamic company such as Homelux. The superior collection of the Homelux range of products combined with the strength of QEP’s existing product lines and market penetration is a combination for success for both companies,” said Jamie Clingan, Sr. VP Marketing.

Garry joins LATICRETE

LATICRETE announced that T.J. Garry has joined the firm as its new Architectural Products Division (APD) Technical Sales Representative, covering Southern Florida. Garry will be reporting to LATICRETE Regional Sales Manager, Greg Braswell, who stated, “T.J. comes to LATICRETE after working the past 11 years with our distributor, Specialty Tile Products. During five of those years, he was their marketing manager, focusing on the commercial and A&D community. T.J.’s last four years have been spent handling commercial sales in the Florida market. Prior to his time with Specialty Tile, he worked as a residential tile installer. Clearly, our newest hire knows the tile industry!”

“I feel very fortunate to be with such a solid company,” Garry commented. “By far, LATICRETE has the best product lines in the business. In particular, I like the family-owned aspect of my new firm. LATICRETE has quality people and unmatched products… I’m really excited about being onboard!”